Jessica McKelvie Kemp, PhD

VICE PRESIDENT

As Vice President, Jessica provides leadership across various spheres of influence to further the organization’s mission and resource development efforts.  She is responsible for supporting the CEO in setting the strategic course for the organization; overseeing progress towards strategic goals in all program areas, including membership and communications; supporting staff development; and helping the CEO to build and maintain relationships and partnerships in support of the CPEX mission. 

Jessica’s professional and academic career has been focused on research, communications, fund development and social justice philanthropy. Before coming to CPEX in 2013, Jessica served as Vice President of Communications for the Foundation for Louisiana where she led communications, outreach, and fund development efforts to advance programs and policies for community-driven economic development, affordable housing, and capacity building for grassroots leadership.

Jessica completed a Ph.D. in English at Louisiana State University; a M.A. in English from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York; and a B.A. in English from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. She is a lifelong fellow of the Effective Leadership Program, a joint endeavor of Duke University, Southern University and the University of Cape Town to cultivate leaders committed to social justice in Louisiana and South Africa.

Expertise: Policy, Communications Strategy, Facilitation, Resource Development, Coalition Building

Email: jkemp@cpex.org